Introduction:
Chrysanthemums, commonly known as “mums,” are beautiful flowering plants that bloom in the fall season. They come in varying colors, shapes and sizes and are a favorite of many gardeners. Once the mums have finished blooming for the season, it is important to prune them back to ensure proper growth for next year’s blooms.
In this blog post, we will discuss how to properly prune chrysanthemums after flowering.
Why Pruning Is Important:
Pruning chrysanthemums after they finish blooming is essential for maintaining their overall health and promoting future growth. When you remove spent flowers from the plant, it encourages new buds to form which will lead to more blooms later on. Additionally, pruning helps control potential disease problems by removing dead or diseased leaves and stems that can spread infections throughout the plant.
When To Prune:
The best time to prune your chrysanthemum plants is right after they have finished blooming. This typically occurs around late fall or early winter depending on where you live. Waiting too long could result in damage from freezing temperatures before you have a chance to prepare them for winter dormancy.
How To Prune Chrysanthemums After Flowering:
Step 1: Remove Dead Flowers
Use clean pruning shears or scissors to clip off any dead or faded flowers at their base where they meet with the stem. You should aim to cut off about an inch below each flower head so that new growth can emerge from healthy tissue underneath.
Step 2: Cut Back Stems
Next, trim back all of the stems on your chrysanthemum plants by about one-third of their length using your pruning shears or scissors again. Make sure each cut is made just above a leaf node (the point where leaves join with stems) so that new shoots can develop quickly afterward.
Step 3: Remove Dead Leaves
Finally, scan the plant for any dead or diseased leaves and remove them by snipping them off at their base with your pruning tools. This will help prevent disease from spreading throughout the plant and also improve its overall appearance.
Conclusion:
Pruning chrysanthemums after they have finished blooming is a necessary step in maintaining their health and promoting future growth. By removing spent flower heads, cutting back stems, and removing dead leaves you can encourage new buds to form which will lead to larger blooms next year. With proper care, your chrysanthemum plants will continue to provide beautiful displays of color each fall season for years to come!
